Indians' Bradley taken to hosiptal

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  Cleveland Indians center fielder Milton Bradley was taken to a hospital by emergency medical workers last week after refusing to leave a restaurant because he was drunk.

The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, which first reported the hospital trip on Saturday, said police officers responding to a call to remove an intoxicated customer early Monday from Dianna's Deli had to get an ambulance for Bradley, who turned 24 that day.

After hitting a home run in Cleveland's 6-2 loss to Minnesota on Saturday night, Bradley said he usually doesn't drink and attributed the situation to his low tolerance for alcohol and an empty stomach.

He was hesitant to talk about it, stressing that it was a personal matter.

"When you compound that with eating a steak that wasn't cooked, that I had to send back twice, you're going to get sick," he said. "Has it affected my play on the field? I was trying to have a little fun in my personal life."

Medical workers found Bradley with police in the restroom. According to the EMS report, Bradley was "severely intoxicated" and was taken to Lakewood Hospital.

He was not arrested and later was released from the hospital when Indians pitcher C.C. Sabathia arrived to pick him up, the newspaper said.

Indians spokesman Bart Swain confirmed Saturday that Bradley spent Monday morning in the hospital. He would not say whether any action was taken against Bradley.

"It's an internal matter," Swain said. "It's already been handled."

Bradley was acquired in a trade with Montreal in July 2001 despite a troubled past.

He was suspended for seven games in April 1999 for spitting gum at an umpire while playing at Double-A Harrisburg. Bradley had been ejected by the umpire for charging the mound and starting a fight.